Councillor Ruth Hayes

During March 2026, Ruth Hayes was actively involved in council meetings, demonstrating leadership and a commitment to scrutiny and planning. As Chair of the Environment, Climate Change and Transport Scrutiny Committee, she provided commentary on the corporate plan, identifying concerns with performance metrics, particularly in empowering people and greener areas, and emphasizing the need for more specific measurement of mission achievement. She also expressed satisfaction with the opening of automated public toilets and, in her role as migrant champion, inquired about the protection of sanctuary-seeking residents and feedback on protected characteristics and faith community engagement. Hayes also chaired a Special Meeting on the Climate Emergency, highlighting the committee's focus on climate change impacts, community resilience, and past discussions on energy efficiency, sustainable economy, and public realm resilience. In her capacity as Chair of the Planning Sub Committee B, she managed the meeting proceedings, including welcoming attendees, confirming minutes, and guiding the committee through agenda items, deliberations, and votes on various planning applications.

During February 2026, Councillor Ruth Hayes was actively involved in multiple council meetings, demonstrating a consistent focus on scrutiny, resident empowerment, and environmental initiatives. As Chair of the Environment, Climate Change and Transport Scrutiny Committee, she presided over meetings, introduced agenda items, and signed off on the Committee Work Plan. Hayes also reported on the success of the December Recycling Summit and highlighted upcoming activities like a site visit and a Climate Action Plan consultation. She actively questioned budget allocations, demand pressures, and savings programmes, seeking to understand their impact on residents and ensure services were not being levelled down. Hayes also expressed interest in how Islington compares to other areas regarding NHS changes and the effectiveness of addiction services, emphasizing a holistic model and the importance of reaching hard-to-reach communities. She advocated for resident involvement in decision-making, particularly through the making it happen fund, and highlighted projects like the Clerkenwell Pollinator Corridor as examples of community empowerment and positive environmental and wellbeing impacts. Hayes moved recommendations for budget items and endorsed the Labour budget, emphasizing its focus on empowering residents and involving communities in decision-making.

During January 2026, Councillor Ruth Hayes was active in two council meetings. She chaired the Environment, Climate and Transport Scrutiny Committee meeting on January 8th, where she reported on a successful recycling summit, discussed upcoming site visits, and highlighted the council's achievements in areas like reuse and repairs. Hayes engaged in discussions on various transport issues, including electric vehicle charging, potholes, fleet electrification, and the Freedom Street project. She also addressed a project delay at Archway Leisure Centre and inquired about highway issues and potential depaving sites. Hayes expressed satisfaction with road renewal funding and the use of recycled materials in road surfaces, praising initiatives like the Healthy Streets scorecard and the Bikeability Trust. She advocated for increased focus on public transport and raised concerns about air pollution data. Hayes presented updates on the council's Climate Action Plan, detailing progress in emissions reduction, fleet electrification, and decarbonization efforts for both corporate and private buildings. She highlighted community energy initiatives, bus priority measures, infrastructure resilience, and the Green Together initiative. Hayes also discussed green economy initiatives, green skills, and the importance of empowering and partnering for climate action. Finally, she addressed finance and investment for climate action and clarified the relationship between green space expansion and the green infrastructure strategy.

On January 12th, Ruth Hayes participated in the Planning Committee meeting. While the provided text details Councillor Martin Klute's actions as Chair, it does not specify any direct contributions or statements made by Ruth Hayes during this particular meeting.